PM reaffirms support for Saudi sovereignty on Saudi National Day
Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on the kingdom and said Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and said Pakistan stands "shoulder to shoulder" with the kingdom in defending its sovereignty, security and the sanctity of Islam's holiest sites.
The statement, carried by the Associated Press of Pakistan, was released on Saudi Arabia's National Day, observed every year on September 23. Saudi Arabia marks the day as the anniversary of the kingdom's unification.
The prime minister said any threat to the Haramain Sharifain deeply wounds the sentiments of Muslims across the world. He referred to a recent attempted drone attack by Houthi forces on the holy city of Makkah, which he called reprehensible.
Sharif extended warm felicitations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia. He said the kingdom's journey of progress and transformation was a source of pride and admiration not only for Saudi Arabia but also for Pakistan.
The prime minister, who is currently in New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, said Saudi Arabia has made impressive strides towards prosperity, modernization and innovation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's leadership.
He said Pakistan took immense pride in its historic and time-tested brotherhood with Saudi Arabia, rooted in faith, mutual trust and an abiding bond between the peoples of the two countries.
"Today, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this brotherhood is growing into an even stronger strategic partnership, underpinned by our shared commitment to peace, security and the unity of the Muslim Ummah," he said.
The prime minister said the two countries have proudly signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, reflecting deepening bilateral cooperation.
He concluded with the slogan "long live Pakistan-Saudi Arabia brotherhood" and prayed that the relationship continues to grow from strength to strength. The prime minister's office distributed the message in New York, where he is leading Pakistan's delegation to the UN General Assembly.
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